View Full Version : Is there a market for Alouette 3's?
sbdorset
1st Oct 2012, 08:35
Slightly commercial question for the forum - is there still a market out there for Alouette 3's? Good condition, in storage with life remaining...
African Eagle
1st Oct 2012, 08:42
In a word - no.
SAAF originally thought about selling theirs and then had the sense to scrap them.
There are some flying about in france and switzerland still - I guess as long as they continue to operate there will be some demand, even if it's for the parts. I can put you in touch with the chap I know who runs one if you like via pm.
edit - actually he operates an Alouette II sorry.
HeliHenri
1st Oct 2012, 10:11
Hello,
Air glaciers in switzerland flies six of them.
.
chopper2004
1st Oct 2012, 11:16
Thought Roberts Aircraft in Co and Wy had a couple kicking around the continent if not on lease globally.
Roberts Aircraft National and International Helicopter Sales and Leasing - home page (http://www.robertsaircraft.com/)
They specialise in owning / maintaining / leasing out the legacy pre Eurocopter then Aerospatiale fleet such as Alouette II/Lama, Alouette III, SA330 Puma
Might be worth asking them then I did know the owners about 8 to 9 years back when doing some work with one of their Pumas.
Don't scrap them...donate one to The Helicopter Museum at Weston and set it against Tax !
sbdorset
2nd Oct 2012, 16:56
Thanks for the inputs - stay tuned!!!
md 600 driver
3rd Oct 2012, 09:00
Heli 1 how do you set it against tax?
Several options MD600 driver.....As the Museum is a registered charity Acceptance in lieu is one...Inheritance tax is another route.....there may also be a business tax concession write off .
In a word - no.
Just of out curiosity, why is that?
Seems to be a simple and reliable, if somewhat old helicopter (I think at least two of the ones still flying in Switzerland were originally delivered to the Danish Navy.... in 1962!)
African Eagle
3rd Oct 2012, 21:20
EDMJ - I am quite happy to be proved wrong in this matter but my guess is that there really isn't much of a commercial market left for the Al III any more.
Unless the seller has an aircraft in as new condition then there really isn't so much to offer because its the dynamic components which are desperately needed and as you know - these are the first to wear out meaning that most sellers don't have old helicopters with great component times on the bits that matter!
Generally speaking when flying commercially, older aircraft give you lower margins because their maintenance costs are less competitive when compared with newer comparable types.
For someone who performs "Sunday Flying" the Al III would make a great collectors item however.